Insights

Explore our alternative ideas and insights designed to help you navigate any market condition, including this one.

Featured Insights

Commentary Absolute Alpha Commentary: As at December 31, 2021 Despite the emergence of the Omicron variant and the associated uncertainty around economic activity in Q4, the Fund continues to provide returns independent of market direction. Source: Neil Simons Publish Date: Jan 14, 2022 Read Time: 4 minutes
Commentary Multi-Asset Strategies Commentary: As at December 31, 2021 The emergence of the Omicron variant and the associated uncertainty around economic activity was most notable macroeconomic event in Q4 and diversification proved once again to be an effective tool. Source: Michael White, CFA | Neil Simons Publish Date: Jan 14, 2022 Read Time: 9 minutes

Recent Insights

Commentary Equity Commentary: As at December 31, 2021
Over the coming quarters, we believe equity markets will need to navigate headwinds from monetary tightening and fading fiscal tailwinds.
Source: David Picton | Jeff Bradacs, CFA | Michael Kimmel, CFA | Michael Kuan, CFA | Travis Irwin, CFA

Publish Date: Jan 12, 2022

Read Time: 5 minutes
Commentary Fixed Income Commentary: As at December 31, 2021
Interest rate and credit hedging, as well as defensive credit positioning were key contributors to the outperformance of our income funds during the quarter.
Source: Phil Mesman, CFA | Sam Acton, CFA

Publish Date: Jan 12, 2022

Read Time: 3 minutes
Commentary Merger Arbitrage Commentary: As at December 31, 2021
The fourth quarter of 2021 was relatively straightforward for the arbitrage strategies as there were no deal breaks on the merger arbitrage side and special purpose acquisition corporations (“SPACs”) made a solid contribution to fund performance.
Source: Craig Chilton, CFA | Tom Savage, CFA

Publish Date: Jan 12, 2022

Read Time: 4 minutes
Commentary Picton Mahoney Fortified Multi-Asset Fund Monthly Positioning: As at December 31, 2021
As we start a new year, we believe tactical opportunities will present themselves with respect to both hedging and adding to risk assets, depending on the macro backdrop in the months ahead.
Source: Michael White, CFA

Publish Date: Jan 7, 2022

Read Time: 6 minutes
Commentary Picton Mahoney Fortified Multi-Asset Fund Monthly Positioning: As at November 30, 2021
With a focus on the diversification benefits, the Fund's positioning demonstrates how our approach to garnering returns within each asset class is unique and suits our portfolio construction framework.
Source: Michael White, CFA

Publish Date: Dec 17, 2021

Read Time: 6 minutes
Commentary Picton Mahoney Fortified Multi-Asset Fund Monthly Positioning: As at October 31, 2021
With a focus on the diversification benefits, the Fund's positioning demonstrates how our approach to garnering returns within each asset class is unique and suits our portfolio construction framework.
Source: Michael White, CFA

Publish Date: Dec 1, 2021

Read Time: 6 minutes
Macro Q4 2021 Investment Review & Outlook: Opportunities Now, Inflation Debate Later
As COVID and supply chain issues ease around the world, inflationary pressures are expected to diminish somewhat over the next few quarters. The pandemic was a once-in-a-century event, but the market cycle is proceeding as it typically does.
Source: Investment Team

Publish Date: Nov 9, 2021
Commentary Equity Commentary: As at September 30, 2021
As we go into the Fall, we believe we are starting the final chapter of a mid-cycle transition.
Source: David Picton | Jeff Bradacs, CFA | Michael Kimmel, CFA | Michael Kuan, CFA | Travis Irwin, CFA

Publish Date: Oct 15, 2021

Read Time: 6 minutes
Commentary Multi-Asset Strategies Commentary: As at September 30, 2021
Monthly performance across risk markets was mixed through Q3, with early gains diminished somewhat by weakness in September.
Source: Michael White, CFA | Neil Simons

Publish Date: Oct 15, 2021

Read Time: 9 minutes
Commentary Merger Arbitrage Commentary: As at September 30, 2021
In our last update we talked about the wide spreads we were seeing in merger arbitrage but also the greater regulatory risk that we believe was at least partially causing these wider spreads. In Q3, we saw some of this uncertainty rear its head.
Source: Craig Chilton, CFA | Tom Savage, CFA

Publish Date: Oct 15, 2021

Read Time: 5 minutes
Commentary Fixed Income Commentary: As at September 30, 2021
Defensive positioning and hedging gains in September were a key contributor to the outperformance in the quarter.
Source: Phil Mesman, CFA | Sam Acton, CFA

Publish Date: Oct 15, 2021

Read Time: 3 minutes
Commentary Absolute Alpha Commentary: As at September 30, 2021
Q3 was bifurcated with the upward movement in global equity markets in July and August followed by a reversal through September. The Fund was successful in providing positive returns independent of markets.
Source: Neil Simons

Publish Date: Oct 15, 2021

Read Time: 4 minutes
Portfolio Construction When De-risking Portfolios Don't Jump, Take The Stairs
Investors often respond to market volatility by raising cash, however, they may miss out on capturing returns when markets recover. Here are four alternative ideas to consider when de-risking portfolios without going to cash.
Source: Picton Mahoney Asset Management

Publish Date: Aug 9, 2021
Macro Q3 2021 Investment Review & Outlook: The Beginning of the Middle (Not the End)
While many metrics are already as good as it gets, all this pent-up demand coupled with low interest rates still sets us on approach to a nice, long runway to economic growth.
Source: Investment Team

Publish Date: Jul 30, 2021
Commentary Absolute Alpha Commentary: As at June 30, 2021
In Q2, the Fund was successful in providing positive returns independent of markets. Portfolio risk remained at the lower end of our expected range. Given the uncertain outlook, diversification will continue to be the most prudent approach.
Source: Neil Simons

Publish Date: Jul 30, 2021

Read Time: 4 minutes
Commentary Merger Arbitrage Commentary: As at June 30, 2021
The second quarter of 2021 can be characterized as “back to business as usual” for the arbitrage strategies, with notable developments in M&A during the period.
Source: Craig Chilton, CFA | Tom Savage, CFA

Publish Date: Jul 15, 2021

Read Time: 5 minutes
Commentary Multi-Asset Strategies Commentary: As at June 30, 2021
Q2 was generally positive risk market, with reopening themes adding to gains, but colling toward the end of the period. Given the increasingly uncertain outlook, we continue to uphold “diversification” as the watchword.
Source: Michael White, CFA | Neil Simons

Publish Date: Jul 15, 2021

Read Time: 9 minutes
Commentary Equity Commentary: As at June 30, 2021
Equity markets continued to go higher in Q2, but rotation in the market has already started amid concerns of peak economic growth, higher inflation, and peak monetary and fiscal stimulus.
Source: David Picton | Jeff Bradacs, CFA | Michael Kimmel, CFA | Michael Kuan, CFA | Travis Irwin, CFA

Publish Date: Jul 15, 2021

Read Time: 5 minutes
Commentary Fixed Income Commentary: As at June 30, 2021
We continue to be very active with new idea generation and have added several new special situation investments to our funds during the quarter.
Source: Phil Mesman, CFA | Sam Acton, CFA

Publish Date: Jul 15, 2021

Read Time: 4 minutes
Portfolio Construction Picton Mahoney's Top Summer Reads
We surveyed the team at Picton Mahoney Asset Management and have put together a list of their top recommended books for the summer.
Source: Picton Mahoney Asset Management

Publish Date: May 21, 2021
Macro Q2 2021 Investment Review & Outlook:
What a Difference a Year Makes
Stock markets rallied dramatically over the past year. Given we are still early in a new economic cycle, we expect investors will continue to buy. However, any increase in inflation expectations that drive interest rates higher would give us pause.
Source: Investment Team

Publish Date: Apr 29, 2021
Commentary Multi-Asset Strategies Commentary: As at March 31, 2021
As interest rates rose with some vigor in the quarter, thematic performance continued to shift in notable fashion. Against this backdrop, “diversification” continued to be the watchword…
Source: Michael White, CFA | Neil Simons

Publish Date: Apr 15, 2021

Read Time: 8 minutes
Commentary Fixed Income Commentary: As at March 31, 2021
Q1 was eventful for fixed income as global government bond yields rose rapidly during the period. Our interest rate hedges and event driven situations were primary contributors to our funds during the quarter.
Source: Phil Mesman, CFA | Sam Acton, CFA

Publish Date: Apr 15, 2021

Read Time: 3 minutes
Commentary Merger Arbitrage Commentary: As at March 31, 2021
Q1 was a tale of two halves, but the Merger Arb strategies ended with solid returns despite the uncharacteristic volatility for the strategies in the 2nd half of the quarter.
Source: Craig Chilton, CFA | Tom Savage, CFA

Publish Date: Apr 15, 2021

Read Time: 4 minutes
Commentary Equity Commentary: As at March 31, 2021
Q1 of 2021 provided some interesting market dynamics to for the Equity team to navigate, and opportunistically capitalize on, as we saw another market unwind occur.
Source: David Picton | Jeff Bradacs, CFA | Michael Kimmel, CFA | Michael Kuan, CFA | Travis Irwin, CFA

Publish Date: Apr 15, 2021

Read Time: 8 minutes
Portfolio Construction Getting Additional Insight into Portfolio Risk
While volatility has become the preferred measure of risk, we layout additional tools investors can use to understand risk.
Source: Picton Mahoney Asset Management

Publish Date: Feb 12, 2021

Read Time: 3 minutes
Macro Q1 2021 Investment Review & Outlook: Building the Bubble
Unprecedented monetary stimulus, ongoing fiscal support and the end of COVID-related lockdowns may lead to the strongest surge in global economic growth in decades.
Source: Investment Team

Publish Date: Feb 3, 2021
Commentary Multi-Asset Strategies Commentary: As at December 31, 2020
With no shortage of macro headline risks (global pandemic, high-stakes U.S. Election, Brexit finality), one would wonder how risk markets have managed to stay in gear at all.
Source: Michael White, CFA | Neil Simons

Publish Date: Jan 15, 2021

Read Time: 8 minutes
Commentary Fixed Income Commentary: As at December 31, 2020
Given the stretched valuations in fixed income we believe it’s a great opportunity to layer in hedges in both credit and rates to reduce potential volatility.
Source: Phil Mesman, CFA

Publish Date: Jan 15, 2021

Read Time: 3 minutes
Commentary Equity Commentary: As at December 31, 2020
The Canadian equity market rallied during Q4 with optimism on the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine leading to a rotation of leadership into cyclical and COVID recovery stocks.
Source: David Picton | Jeff Bradacs, CFA | Michael Kimmel, CFA | Michael Kuan, CFA | Travis Irwin, CFA

Publish Date: Jan 15, 2021

Read Time: 9 minutes
Commentary Merger Arbitrage Commentary: As at December 31, 2020
The Merger Arbitrage strategies performed well during Q4 2020 as SPACs continued to deliver strong contributions to the overall performance of the strategies.
Source: Craig Chilton, CFA | Tom Savage, CFA

Publish Date: Jan 15, 2021

Read Time: 3 minutes
Portfolio Construction How Well Does Volatility Measure Risk
It can be argued that volatility has limitations that make it an inadequate measure of risk, especially in connection with alternative investments.
Source: Picton Mahoney Asset Management

Publish Date: Dec 15, 2020

Read Time: 5 minutes
Macro Q4 2020 Investment Review & Outlook:
Full Steam Ahead (Almost)
As indications of a new economic cycle begin to emerge, investors might want to consider the hidden risks of the return of an inflationary environment.
Source: Investment Team

Publish Date: Nov 11, 2020
Macro Q4 2020 Income Insights^TM:
Making Sense of Senseless
In a zero-rate world, with record low yields, “bonds are broken” – but a long-short approach and focus on correlation can still support long-term returns.
Source: Phil Mesman, CFA

Publish Date: Nov 5, 2020

Run Time: 17 minutes
Commentary Fixed Income Commentary: As at September 30, 2020
With fiscal stimulus, steady economic improvement and vaccine prospects supporting risk assets, our actively managed fixed income funds outperformed their benchmarks.
Source: Phil Mesman, CFA

Publish Date: Oct 23, 2020

Read Time: 2 minutes
Commentary Multi-Asset Strategies Commentary: As at September 30, 2020
Rich diversification options in our multi-strategy funds helped our managers mitigate volatility, limit risks and post good-quality returns in Q3.
Source: Michael White, CFA | Neil Simons

Publish Date: Oct 23, 2020

Read Time: 5 minutes
Commentary Equity Commentary: As at September 30, 2020
Q3 saw a rebound in North America, but less so internationally, with a new economic cycle still forestalled by volatility and COVID-related unknowns.
Source: David Picton | Jeff Bradacs, CFA | Michael Kimmel, CFA | Michael Kuan, CFA

Publish Date: Oct 21, 2020

Read Time: 9 minutes
Commentary Merger Arbitrage Commentary: As at September 30, 2020
As COVID-19 restrictions eased in Q3, strong M&A activity and a vigorous SPAC market helped our merger arbitrage strategies deliver strong quarterly performance.
Source: Craig Chilton, CFA | Tom Savage, CFA

Publish Date: Oct 21, 2020

Read Time: 3 minutes
Macro Q3 2020 Income Insights^TM
Our Fixed Income team explains how careful positioning has addressed credit markets roiled by the recent crisis – and by unprecedented fiscal stimulus.
Source: Phil Mesman, CFA | Sam Acton, CFA | Ashley Kay

Publish Date: Aug 21, 2020

Run Time: 27 minutes
Macro Q3 2020 Investment Review & Outlook:
What's the Plan
Fiscal stimulus has fuelled a strong rebound. Risk assets are attractive, but we are cautious, given the lack of long-term national recovery plans.
Source: Investment Team

Publish Date: Jul 31, 2020

Run Time: 27 minutes
Commentary Equity Commentary: As at June 30, 2020
Q2 earnings will reflect recent troughs, but North America and China continue to rally, with cyclicals offering potential, and Europe showing promise.
Source: David Picton | Jeff Bradacs, CFA | Michael Kimmel, CFA | Michael Kuan, CFA

Publish Date: Jul 16, 2020

Read Time: 8 minutes
Commentary Merger Arbitrage Commentary: As at June 30, 2020
The economic and financial market volatility of Q1 2020 provided us with an abundance of arbitrage opportunities that led to strong performance in Q2.
Source: Craig Chilton, CFA | Tom Savage, CFA

Publish Date: Jul 16, 2020

Read Time: 3 minutes
Commentary Multi-Asset Strategies Commentary: As at May 31, 2020
As markets recover, active positioning and strategic diversification help our multi-asset strategies perform during the period.
Source: Michael White, CFA

Publish Date: Jun 10, 2020

Read Time: 5 minutes
Commentary Equity Commentary: As at April 30, 2020
Although coming off historical troughs, markets remain stable and well-supported; select sectors could outperform as economies continue to reopen.
Source: David Picton | Jeff Bradacs, CFA | Michael Kimmel, CFA | Michael Kuan, CFA

Publish Date: May 13, 2020

Read Time: 8 minutes
Macro The GFC Playbook for the War on COVID-19
David Picton provides an overview of the markets and a road map that the investment team is using to navigate the COVID crisis.
Source: David Picton

Publish Date: Apr 23, 2020

Run Time: 26 minutes
Macro Q2 2020 Investment Review & Outlook:
The GFC Playbook for the War on COVID-19
Government measures are addressing health and economic crises head on; we believe risk assets bottomed in March, and suggest positioning for a rise.
Source: Investment Team

Publish Date: Apr 23, 2020

Run Time: 26 minutes
Macro Q2 2020 Income Insights^TM:
Position Your Fixed Income for the Other Side
Phil Mesman discusses the three phases of the sell-off and provides advisors with insights on how to position their fixed income for the other side.
Source: Phil Mesman, CFA

Publish Date: Apr 21, 2020

Run Time: 35 minutes
Commentary Equity Commentary: As at March 31, 2020
Q1 saw a worldwide pandemic, a full-blown global shutdown, unprecedented fiscal stimulus – and signs of a rebound and perhaps the path to a recovery.
Source: David Picton | Jeff Bradacs, CFA | Michael Kimmel, CFA | Michael Kuan, CFA

Publish Date: Apr 15, 2020

Read Time: 12 minutes
Investment Insights Masterclass: Investment Strategies in Market Volatility
David Picton joins an industry panel to discuss the market crisis and where opportunities may lie following radical and even permanent market changes.
Source: David Picton

Publish Date: Apr 14, 2020

Run Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Commentary Multi-Asset Strategies Commentary: As at March 31, 2020
In the worst market collapse and selloff since the GFC, our multi-strategy funds performed well, and are positioned to participate as markets improve.
Source: Michael White, CFA | Neil Simons

Publish Date: Apr 9, 2020

Read Time: 8 minutes
Commentary Merger Arbitrage Commentary: As at March 31, 2020
Strategic de-risking and a steady hand kept our merger arbitrage strategies resilient in the face of severe declines and volatility from pandemic and oil shocks.
Source: Craig Chilton, CFA | Tom Savage, CFA

Publish Date: Apr 8, 2020

Read Time: 5 minutes
Commentary Equity Commentary: As at March 31, 2020
Unprecedented volatility and broad changes to business and consumer behaviour are creating a wealth of opportunities for active management.
Source: David Picton | Jeff Bradacs

Publish Date: Apr 1, 2020

Read Time: 6 minutes
Commentary Sector Outlook: Financials
While Canadian banks are better capitalized than they were during the GFC, the sector may not be immune from today’s real economic stresses.
Source: Robert Poole, CFA

Publish Date: Mar 26, 2020

Read Time: 6 minutes
Macro Income Insights^TM on Market Volatility
Our Fixed Income team provides discussion and insight around their macro house view, liquidity in bond ETFs, navigating risks and preferred shares.
Source: Phil Mesman, CFA | Sam Acton, CFA | Ashley Kay

Publish Date: Mar 19, 2020

Run Time: 49 minutes
Investment Insights Picton Mahoney on What Happens to M&A Now
Craig Chilton and Tom Savage discuss the effects of market volatility on existing M&A transactions and the state of the current M&A environment.
Source: Craig Chilton, CFA | Tom Savage, CFA

Publish Date: Mar 17, 2020

Run Time: 20 minutes
Macro The Great Interruption: Picton Mahoney Conference Call on Market Volatility
On March 12, we held a special conference call with our portfolio managers addressing market volatility.
Source: Investment Team

Publish Date: Mar 12, 2020

Run Time: 25 minutes
Investment Insights Portfolio Diversification Using Merger Arbitrage
Merger arbitrage strategies offer diversification, because their returns have little correlation to traditional stock and bond portfolios.
Source: Craig Chilton, CFA | Tom Savage, CFA

Publish Date: Feb 27, 2020

Run Time: 20 minutes
Macro Income Insights^TM:
What Next? Positioning your Fixed Income for 2020
A “tsunami driven by government bond yields” has created vulnerabilities that may prevent bonds from offering their traditional income and protection.
Source: Phil Mesman, CFA | Sam Acton, CFA

Publish Date: Feb 14, 2020

Run Time: 22 minutes

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